Furthering your education can not only earn you better jobs, but much better pay. The problem is that, you often have to take a temporary pay cut if you have to pay for tuition and even quit your job in order to go to classes. But, these things don't have to slow you down or scare you away from getting another degree. You just have to know how to prepare yourself and your finances.
Why is a school expensive?
Don't buy into the lie that the pricier the institution, the more respected it is. Many schools are more expensive simply because they are located in a nice neighborhood, or offer their students a multitude of "free" activities, that are reflected in the tuition you pay. If you're going back to school later in life, you probably don't care how much of a campus life there is, since you won't be partying. And it probably doesn't matter to you where the campus is located since you won't be residing there. While some schools may not be as popular because they aren't as fun, they might still be highly reputable out in the work force. Explore those schools.
Ask about scholarships
When returning to school late, we often forget about these because we associate these with high school grades and being a valued athlete. But there are a surprising number of other types of scholarships available. Talk to the financial aid office at your schools of interest and see if there are any scholarships you might be able to get.
Be sneaky with your schedule
Too many people instantly quit their job when going back to school, thinking that doing both is impossible. But, bare in mind that every class usually is available at different hours and on different days. Usually, you can plan your classes to be in chunks. My friend is a voice coach and she just moved around some of her singing lessons and scheduled all of her classes to be only 3 days a week, and only at night. She was able to go to school full time and still teach people how to sing.
Sign up for a meal plan
Campus dining halls have really raised the bar over the last couple of decades so don't shy away from them for fear of low quality food. Getting on a meal plan can sometimes make each meal only cost between $6 and $8, and it means you get fresh food instead of having to lug around a lunch box. And don't worry about looking too old in the dining hall. There is a huge trend of adults returning to school after working for over a decade!